Best iPhone 5 cases and covers

So you've decided you want an iPhone 5 case even though you're reluctant to cover up that beautiful design and impeccable engineering. I can't blame you. An iPhone 5 case is just what you need sometimes to protect that incredibly thin device and its antenna frame, whose edges are susceptible to small dents and dings.

If you're looking for protection that won't make your iPhone 5 look completely hideous, you've come to the right place.

InCase Snap Case

What I've always loved about the InCase Snap Case is its minimal profile and lack of any substantial weight. As far as iPhone 5 cases go, this would be my first pick if I were trying to keep it from getting scratched whenever I set it down on a table or desk. It probably won't do much for a major fall, but it's been years since I've dropped any of my phones, so fingers crossed for that one. It's only $29.95 from InCase, which is a small price to pay for protecting a $600+ device.

Mophie juice pack helium

Finally! I've always been a fan of the Mophie juice pack plus, and I'd assumed that there would be an iPhone 5 case just like it when the smartphone launched. Better late than never, I guess, right? It adds a considerable amount of size and weight to your device, but this should be your go-to case when you need serious protection and additional battery life. These Mophie cases tend to be a bit pricey, and this one is no different, but at about $80 you're really getting what you pay for -- quality, protection and battery life.

Incipio Stashback

Incipio is a reliable brand as far as iPhone cases go, but what I like about the Stashback is its ability to hold cards for you. You can put your ID, credit cards, metro cards or whatever you want on the back. Just be careful, though: Losing or misplacing your phone means losing those cards, too. Every now and then, thinner cards will slip out, like those overpriced monthly MetroCards in NYC, and that's something you definitely don't want to lose. Otherwise, it's a solid case and the bottom flips out so you can dock the phone if necessary. It's only $40.

Belkin Grip Candy Sheer Case

OK, this is my daily iPhone 5 case, but I've gotta be honest -- this case comes in several colors but looks good in only two: glow/blacktop and smolder/gravel. Of course, it's a matter of personal preference, but I've got the glow/blacktop model. This case is very thin, lightweight, has good grip and texture, and the cutouts make all the ports easily accessible. It fits the iPhone 5 perfectly without stretching or sliding around, which is great. The Belkin Grip Candy Sheer Case is $25, but I believe I got it for about $15 at Best Buy. Oh, and it looks much better in person than in photos.

Mophie Juice Pack Air

The Mophie Juice Pack Air is what you need for the iPhone 5 when the Helium version just isn't enough. And although the iPhone 5 battery is pretty damn good on its own, it can still get a little help from an external battery if you're a power user. The nice thing about the Mophie Juice Pack Air is that it offers protection for the iPhone 5 as well as up to 100 percent of its original battery life in power. That means when your iPhone 5 is about to run out of battery life, you can flick on the Mophie Juice Pack Air switch and have it charge back up to 100 percent. I've owned several of these before, and I can't recommend it highly enough if you don't mind adding a little bulk to your iPhone 5 for the price of doubling your battery life.

And that's it! I could throw in a few more cases, but then it really wouldn't be a selection of the best cases. It would just be a list of random cases for the iPhone 5.